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Green Event Guide
Planning a fantastic event on or off campus? Make sure you keep it green by following these sustainability tips and alternatives so your events leave a lasting impact on your attendees and not on the planet.
Location
When picking the location for your event consider:
- Transportation
Opt for event locations with easy access to public transportation, biking, or walking paths, and promote carpooling and ride-sharing to and from events.
- Lighting
Maximize natural light in event spaces to save energy. Consider outdoor event venues whenever possible.
- Virtual Attendance
Offer virtual attendance options to avoid greenhouse gas emissions related to travel.
Invitations
When sending out invitations:
- Avoid Paper Waste
Opt for virtual invites through social media, eventbrite, or email.
- Encourage Attendees to BYOReusables
When sending out invitations, remind attendees to bring reusable water bottles and utensil kits to help limit the usage of single-use plastic bottles, cups, and utensils.
- Help Attendees Get There Sustainability
Encourage guests to make sustainable transportation choices on their way to the event by sharing information about nearby bus stops, metro stations, or options for carpooling with colleagues.
Food
When ordering food for your event:
- Reduce Food Waste
Only order the necessary amount of food to reduce potential waste, and work with the Office of Sustainability to compost waste and to give away any leftover food.
Request composting and food recovery services at your event.
- Go Plant-Based
The GW Office of Sustainability follows the principles of Greener by Default when hosting events. Offering plant-based meals as the default can reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to food up to 40%, and promotes inclusivity for people with a variety of dietary needs.
Some of our favorite vegan and vegetarian-friendly spots in town include HipCityVeg, DC Vegan, Shouk, and Falafel Inc.
- Prioritize Sustainable Delivery and Catering
When placing your food order, ask if the restaurant can avoid using plastic packaging and for no single-use plastic utensils or dinnerware to be included with the order.
For formal catered events, opt for catering partners with sustainability initiatives. A few options we recommend include Root and Stem Catering, Windows Catering, Ridgewells Catering, Creative Catering DC, Well Dunn Catering and GW Dining.
Giveaways & Merch
When ordering giveaway items or merchandise for an event:
- Gift Experiences
Avoid giveaways that will end up in the trash by gifting experiences as prizes.
- Choose Socially Responsible Items
If merchandise is essential, opt for environmentally and socially responsible items such as reusable bags, water bottles, or apparel made from sustainable materials. Choose items with specific and practical usefulness for the intended recipients.
Decorations
When picking decorations for your event:
- Go Natural
Avoid plastic decorations and opt for seasonal and natural elements instead. Consider potted plants or living centerpieces that can be repurposed after the event.
Not able to use plants or flowers? Opt for decorations you are more likely to reuse in the future.
- Shop Local
Purchase decorations from small local businesses instead of big box stores. Opt for decorations that can be reused for future events.
Waste
To avoid waste at your event:
- Say NO to Plastic
Consistent with GW policy, GW funds should not be used to purchase single-use plastics such as plastic bottled water. Instead, provide water pitchers and paper cups, or encourage attendees to bring their own reusable water bottle. We recommend sharing the location of the nearest water bottle filling station with your guests, which you can find here. Provide condiments or coffee fixings in bulk containers instead of single-use plastic packets.
- Think Reusable & Compostable!
Opt for reusable or compostable cutlery and serving utensils. Ensure recycling, landfill, and compost bins are available and clearly labeled.
- Go Paperless
Share reference materials digitally instead of printing individual copies.